contact.bauhaus 3 | 2023

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Dear Alumni,

Since 1 March, Peter Benz has been serving as new President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. On his very first day in office, he was able to talk with numerous members of the university during a »meet and greet« event. At this time, the opportunity was also taken to warmly thank President (interim) Prof. Dr. Jutta Emes for her work. She has led the University through a particularly challenging year. Our reports within this issue include new research projects in the field of media, successful founders and the upcoming debut of the new mockumentary series, »IRGENDWAS MIT MEDIEN«.

We wish you an entertaining virtual journey through your alma mater.
Your Silvia Riedel

The Presidium and the members of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar are heartbroken by the consequences devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria. We share the sorrow and grief of those affected as well as their families and friends. > more

»The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has an established and distinctive reputation, and is already well-positioned to provide clear and applicable solutions to current major global issues. Based on this, I hope that, together with university members, I can contribute to developing a dynamic and modern institution. An institution that fulfils its potential for the benefit of society through scientific and artistic-creative research and practice, as well as through its teaching« said new Bauhaus-Universität Weimar President Peter Benz elaborated. The University Assembly elected Benz as President on 1 November 2022. Official appointment by Wolfgang Tiefensee, Thuringian Minister for Economy, Science and Digital Society, took place on 28 February 2023. > more

The posts that appear on our social media feeds seem to have mostly been compiled randomly. However, the visual sequences in the background actually follow very specific criteria and are tailored precisely to each individual user. What factors influence this composition? Researchers will be investigating this question from 1 February 2023 within the scope of the DFG-funded, interdisciplinary research project »Curating the Feed«. > more

Are there such things as »living« machines and »intelligent« plants? Since January 2023, researchers from the Media Studies department have been devoted to investigating the apparent animation of nature and technical apparatuses within the scope of the project »Animismus/Maschinismus. Configurations of critique between science, art and technology«. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the research project with a sum of 546,000 euros. > more

In 2023, radio in Germany will be 100 years old. To mark this anniversary, the project »Listening to the World – 100 Years of Radio« has now been launched as a cooperation between the »Experimental Radio« Professorship, the Goethe-Institut, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures). The historical connection between radio and globalisation will be explored, as will international, partly unknown archives and histories of radiophony. > more

How can hybrid learning spaces be designed and used in future? At the beginning of the summer semester, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will open its Hybrid Learning Studio, in which opportunities and challenges of hybrid teaching and learning will be explored, along with the potential of collaborative learning and working in real and virtual learning spaces. The Studio is a core component of the Lernraum.Bauhaus project, funded by the »Stiftung für Innovationen in der Hochschullehre«. > more

Once again this year, In.Sight Master, the Course Sampler for Master’s degree programmes, offers the opportunity to attend informational events and lectures at the University and to exchange ideas with students. This offers interested students the opportunity not only to learn more about the various Master’s programmes, but also to try them out in person or online. The 2023 Course Sampler will take place online from 2 to 8 May and in person from 8 to 12 May. Registrations are now open. > more

Erfurt-based robotics start-up E-TERRY, led by product designer and alumnus Michael Rieke, has successfully completed its first round of financing: beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh (bm|t), FutureWork Verwaltungsgesellschaft, Dr. Thomas Gnefkow and Christoph Ratke are investing a seven-figure sum in the company, which was founded in April 2022. The core of E-TERRY is an autonomously driving robot that helps farmers to cultivate fields efficiently and ecologically. > more

After just recently becoming the first UFA production to be awarded the »green motion« label, the eight-part mockumentary series IRGENDWAS MIT MEDIEN has now been honoured with the Eisvogel Prize. The prize is awarded for particularly innovative solutions concerning sustainability in film and series productions. The series is the brainchild of alumni Jano Kaltenbach and Mirko Muhshoff, who also directed the series and played the main roles. The mockumentary IRGENDWAS MIT MEDIEN will be available in the ARD Mediathek from 14 April. > more

Jano Kaltenbach and Mirko Muhshoff in an interview with MDR.

Maximilian Netter, Rafael Jové and Mario Weise intend to revolutionise the radio market with innovative audio formats. To achieve this goal, the Media Arts alumni have founded »FUNKHAUS ost« and have been receiving support from the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) within the scope of the start-up programme MEDIAstart since January 2023. > more

Got an innovative business idea and need support to develop and implement it? Want to expand your network and exchange ideas with other start-up enthusiasts? The neudeli Fellowship start-up programme supports ideas from the fields of social and creative entrepreneurship as well as innovative technology-oriented start-up projects. Apply by 2 April 2023! > more

The Bauhaus Summer School is looking for new subject-specific course lecturers for 2024! Do you have an exciting idea for a subject-specific course – in-person or online? Would you like to test new teaching formats and expand your international network? With the Bauhaus Summer School you can advance your projects. Send us your course concept by 20 March 2023. > more

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and the Materials Research and Testing Laboratory (MFPA) Weimar took over sponsorship of the »Jugend forscht« Mittelthüringen competition for up-and-coming scientists for the first time this year. On 22 February, 49 projects were presented and 15 winners chosen. The young researchers presented their projects to a panel of 33 STEM teachers, professors and experts from research and business institutions, as well as to a large public audience. The 29th »Jugend forscht« Mittelthüringen regional competition will take place again on 28 February 2024 at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. > more

With the POWER HOUSE exhibition, nova space – the university gallery of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – will move into the Schiller-Museum in anniversary year 2023. There, nova space will present a programme over several months that consolidates the creative energies from the four faculties. This will provide a platform allowing external guests and visitors to come into contact with contemporary art, design, architecture and research. > more

In February 2023, students of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism presented the results of their design, research and teaching projects from the 2022/23 winter semester. This year’s iteration of »go4spring« saw 21 professorships participating with 36 projects.

At the beginning of February 2023, students of the Faculty of Art and Design presented insights into the results of their projects and courses from the 2022/23 winter semester at more than 20 locations. Photographer and alumna Dominique Wollniok captured the essence of the exhibitions in pictures.

PERSONALIA | Prof. Dr. Jan von Brevern appointed Professor of Art and Cultural History | Prof. Dr. phil. habil. Christof Windgätter appointed Professor of History and Theory of Visual Communication | Dr. Grischa Bertram appointed Junior Professor of Spatial Planning and Research | Dr. Sandra Huning Associate Professor of Urban Planning | Patrick Staubach new Associate Professor of Geotechnics | Dr. Horst Henrici appointed Chancellor of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar for a further eight years | PD. Dr.-Ing. habil. Volkmar Zabel appointed Director of the Institute of Structural Mechanics (ISM) at the Faculty of Civil Engineering | Hon.-Prof. Micky Remann to teach »Immersive Media« as Visiting Professor at Chulalangkorn University in Bangkok in March | On the death of Arno Lederer – renowned architect and university lecturer

IN PROFILE | Concept artist Benedikt Braun, Visual Communication and Fine Arts graduate, at mdr KULTUR | Concept artist Cosima Göpfert, Fine Arts graduate, at mdr KULTUR | Stephanie Müller-Spirra, graduate of Cultural and Media Studies, as ARD presenter of the 2023 Handball World Cup

DISTINGUISHED | Photographer and alumna Dominique Wollniok receives NEUSTARTplus scholarship for visual artists | Start-up »LOKK« awarded as cultural and creative pioneers | European Media Culture alumna Katharina Thiele wins Max Weber Foundation prize | Graduate Lorenz Bell wins gif Immobilien Forschungspreis (Real Estate Research Prize) 2022 | Intelligent stacking of resource-saving building material: German Ecodesign Award honours Maren Klamser’s Master’s thesis »5TONS« | Product Design graduate Maximilian Schatz receives »Silberstreifen Award« from Design Zentrum Hamburg for his Bachelor’s thesis »Lauchstoff« (»Leek Material«)

IN BRIEF | 7th International Symposium on Architectural Outreach »Culture – Heritage – Appropriation« to be held at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar from 24 to 26 March 2023 | Research Diary »SCIP Plastics«: Jute Instead of Plastic? | Bauhaus-Universität Weimar takes 2nd place in Category Award 2023 | Sustainability focus: Gründungsradar article on neudeli start-up hub | Photographer Dominique Wollniok in Female Photoclub podcast | SAVE THE DATE: neudeli Open on 8 June 2023 | The »Bauhaus Gamesfabrik« at MAG-C | UBC News: Canadian student Vivian Voong on her studies at the Faculty of Media | Bauhaus-Universität Weimar students design new playground in Weimar’s city centre | News from the Bauhaus network | News from the Bauhaus Weiterbildungsakademie Weimar e.V.

ALUMNI REUNIONS | Are you planning an alumni reunion? We can help you find your fellow students. We can help you plan your reunions. We publish your information and provide links to your pages. We connect you. Take advantage of our service. Contact the Alumni Office. Upcoming ALUMNI REUNIONS 2023

We also love publishing information from you, our alumni. Do you have interesting experiences from your time at your alma mater that you wish to share? Or perhaps you’d like us to report on one of your special projects or an alumni collaboration. Send us an e-mail at: alumni[at]uni-weimar.de

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